10 Facts About Cleveland Robinson

Cleveland Lowellyn "Cleve" Robinson was a Jamaican-born American labor organizer and civil rights activist.

Cleveland Robinson was a key figure in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, for which he acted as the Chairman of the Administrative Committee.

Cleveland Robinson was born in Swabys Hope, in Manchester Parish, Jamaica.

Cleveland Robinson was elected vice-president in 1950 and later in 1952 became secretary-treasurer.

Cleveland Robinson held that position until he retired in 1992.

When District 65 was affiliated with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Workers Union, Robinson held the positions of international vice-president and executive board member of that union.

Cleveland Robinson was the chairman and one of the key organizers of the August 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Cleveland Robinson suffered from glaucoma for many years, and was legally blind by 1970.

Cleveland Robinson never lost touch with his Jamaican origins and traveled to the island often, keeping up a keen interest in a number of Jamaican-American political, cultural and fraternal organizations.

Cleveland Robinson died of kidney failure in New York City in August 1995.